Defective & Dangerous Products

• Monkfish Recalled after Two Become Sick

  Christina Cole | May 25, 2007 11:13 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  On Thursday, a California company announced a voluntarily recall of several thousand pounds of frozen monkfish from China, after two people became sick from eating what officials believe may have been toxic puffer fish.The fish was labeled as monkish; however federal agents have found life threatening levels of tetrodotoxin in the fish, which is commonly associated with puffer fish.Both people...

• Chrysler Recalling Over 400,000 Vehicles for Airbag Defect

  Christina Cole | May 11, 2007 11:15 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  DaimlerChrysler is recalling 2005 Dodge Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country Minivans. Chrysler will fix all defective air bags that may not deploy due to corrosion on the sensors. More than 400,000 vehicles are affected by the auto recall.The recall affects vehicles sold and registered in states that use large amounts of road salt. This is yet another widely criticized regional recall....

• Tobacco's Famous Applesauce Defense

  Bob Carroll | December 26, 2006 4:27 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  In a short sequence posted on YouTube from the famous 1976 Death in the West, Helmut Wakeham (VP research and Development of Philip Morris) compares smoking to eating apple sauce.Philip Morris compares smoking to eating applesauce It is public relations efforts like this that give PR a bad name. And, it is part of the reason Florida residents have been given the opportunity to bring individual...

• Getting The Lead Out Of Gift Shops

  Bob Carroll | December 13, 2006 6:04 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  A visit to Washington, D.C., could be hazardous to the health of your children, especially if you are feeling generous.Lead in Jewelry and Other Products Sold in Capitol Gift ShopsFrom press release: "Rep. Waxman and Sen. Obama today released a report finding that products from the Capitol gift shop contain dangerous amounts of lead. Jewelry and other inexpensive children's gifts sold in the...

• Don't Expose Children To Secondhand Smoke

  Bob Carroll | December 09, 2006 4:45 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  If you don't care enough about your own health to stop smoking at least stop smoking around others, especially children. Exposing children to secondhand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke) should be considered child abuse.Environmental Tobacco SmokeHere are some common questions and answers about secondhand smoke also known as environmental tobacco smoke. Take action now to reduce your risks.Q:...

• Taser-Related Deaths

  Bob Carroll | November 19, 2006 4:03 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  I wonder if medpundit will be taking any evening walks in the park this week. In an article reporting on a lawsuit by Taser International, Inc., some opinions expressed by medpundit could bring on a late night zapping to demonstrate the safety of a Taser.Taser Fights BackTaser, the makers of stun-guns, is suing our local medical examiner because she listed Tasers as a cause of death on two...

• Joke Pacifiers Not A Laughing Matter

  Bob Carroll | November 03, 2006 4:40 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  We have all experienced a practical joke that has gone too far. Joke pacifiers which can cause the death of a baby can now be added to that category.Flashing Pacifiers Recalled The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and several toy distributions are recalling about 237,000 flashing pacifiers. The pacifiers failed to meet federal safety standards.The nipple can separate from the shield...

• Defective Defibrillator Was No Big Deal...To Its Manufacturer

  Bob Carroll | September 12, 2006 4:09 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  When does an implantable defibrillator manufacturer have an obligation to inform patients and doctors of a defect? I respectfully suggest the answer is as soon as the defect is determined to exist and known to present a risk to the patient. In this report of defective defibrillators the manufacturer apparently decided otherwise.Defective Guidant Defibrillators Continue to Haunt Boston...

• Furniture Tip-Overs Causing Deaths Of Children

  Bob Carroll | September 12, 2006 10:48 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Once again the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning about the Furniture Tip-Over dangers that are causing the deaths of young children. In the last Tip-Over case I resolved I learned that some manufacturers are still not providing strong warnings or safety devices. Telling a purchaser not to put more than 10 pounds in each drawer of a dresser does not amount to a...

• Tillinghast Study A Mouthpiece Of Big Corporations

  Bob Carroll | September 02, 2006 8:37 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Every year a "consulting firm" publishes its calculations of the cost of the civil justice system. And, every year the numbers get wilder and wilder. One day they may exceed the Gross National Product. Attorney Bruce Brothers, from Bend, Oregon and a Bulletin guest columnist, sets the record straight.Courts hold corporations accountableThe Bulletin recently published an In My View article by...